It's alright, I haven't lost my few remaining marbles, sunbathing on British beaches in November really isn't my cup of tea. I will leave that sort of activity to much hardier souls. The Beach, is a new felt picture I have been mulling over for several months, it is a piece that is quite emotional for me so I want to get it right. About 18 months ago Mr TB lost his mother (Bev) after a long battle with cancer, it was tough for everyone, but especially him being on the other side of the world (he is a Kiwi and most of his family still live there). One of my abiding memories of Bev is that she loved walking and would take their dog, Josie, to the local beach in Otaki almost every day, Josie loved it, always finding the most enormous branch to proudly carry along the beach and into the surf. Ever since I started working with felt, I have had this idea that I would like to depict this idyllic seaside scene in a painting for my father in law as a reminder of those happy times. We are flying back to NZ in Dec so I had better get a move on!
Finally, after much ruminating I have started sketching out some ideas in water colour, what do you think? Do you have a favourite?
Mr TB has already suggested that I choose another silhouette for the dog, although this is a typical Josie pose, head down, tail wagging in that "play with me" posture dog's have (she always wants you to throw these enormous tree trunks that I can barely lift) I can see his point, it isn't immediately recognisable as a dog.
I like the last one best. I hope you get it done by Dec!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I have put in quite a few hours this weekend so it is progressing quite quickly now. I ended up using a landscape version of the 2nd sketch in the end but looking at them again now I am thinking you are right, the 3rd sketch gives the impression that the people still have the whole beach to walk along and the feeling of a journey ahead. Maybe this will become a series of felt paintings... :o)
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